When 19 machinists met in a railway locomotive inspection pit in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., in May 1888, they had little idea their new organization would grow into a vibrant union of more than 730,000 members. To-day the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) represents a wide range of workers in 200 basic industries in Canada and the U.S.A. Our members work on everything from the shops servicing Space Shuttles to the small machine shop at the corner.
Local 456 was granted its charter on May 18, 1901. Like the parent union, our members were part of a railroad, the Esquimalt/Nanaimo Railway. Over the years we have expanded into the shipyards, pulp and paper mills small machine shops and manufacturers for the marine industry.
We continue the tradition of serving all members of every calling.